Best Performing KiwiSaver Providers and Funds 2024
September 2024 Update
KiwiSaver investments delivered positive outcomes in Q3 2024, with total assets growing by approximately NZD 7 billion to reach a record high of NZD 117.6 billion.
Key Takeaways
Growth in Assets: KiwiSaver assets surged to NZD 117.6 billion, reflecting a $7 billion increase during the quarter.
Strong Returns: In the one-year period, which featured bullish share markets, investment performance conformed with theory as higher risk delivered higher returns, spanning 11.6 per cent for conservative funds through to 21.6 per cent in the aggressive cohort.
Long-Term Performance: Over the past decade, aggressive funds delivered the highest annualised returns (9.1%), followed by growth (8.2%), balanced (6.7%), moderate (4.8%), and conservative (4.3%).
Sustainability Ratings: The inclusion of Morningstar’s Global Sustainability Ratings highlights funds excelling in ESG criteria, helping investors align with their values.
To help New Zealand investors assess the past performance of the funds available and other key characteristics of their KiwiSaver superannuation options, we collated data from the Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey 30 September 2024 the most recent survey conducted and ranked them on performance.
Note that all funds have been ranked on their most recent 5 year average yearly performances as at 30 September 2024, after fees.
Why Choose Compound Wealth to help you with your KiwiSaver?
KiwiSaver Experts: With over a decade of focused experience in KiwiSaver, we have become specialists in this field. Advising on over $100 million in funds, we understand the providers, the funds, the assets, and all the intricate details needed to make the best recommendations for you.
Professional Guidance: Partnering with us means accessing expert advice and guidance. We help you navigate market fluctuations, keeping you aligned with your long-term investment goals and steering you away from impulsive decisions.
Reliable and Personalised Retirement Solutions: If you plan to use KiwiSaver throughout your retirement, we offer tailored advice on structuring your portfolio and effectively managing your savings. Our goal is to help you maximise your hard-earned money for a secure and comfortable retirement.
If you would like to make sure you are invested in an appropriate KiwiSaver strategy please complete our KiwiSaver Discovery Quiz.
Contents:
Conservative fund category top performers
Pathfinder Conservative: 4.4% (five year average return)
Quay Street Conservative: 3.8% (five year average return)
Fisher Funds Plan Default Conservative: 3.8% (five year average return)
What difference would this make to my KiwiSaver?
The industry average return for Conservative fund types over the most recent 5 years was 2.9%*.
Best KiwiSaver Funds - Pathfinder Conservative vs Conservative Fund Average
What are the fees compared to industry average?
KiwiSaver fees are typically calculated as a % of your total balance. The majority of KiwiSaver funds also charge a fixed admin fee, however this is relatively small and consistent across varying KiwiSaver schemes. Please note that all returns stated are net of fees (returns after fees, before tax).
Industry Average for Conservative Funds fees = 0.59%
Pathfinder Conservative Fund fees = 0.94%
Pathfinder Conservative Fund Description
The Pathfinder Conservative Fund is an ethical portfolio with a higher exposure to income assets and a lower exposure to growth assets.
This Fund’s value is unlikely to fluctuate as much as the Pathfinder KiwiSaver Balanced Fund or Pathfinder KiwiSaver Growth Fund.
The Pathfinder Conservative Fund Fund description was obtained directly from Pathfinder’s most recent Fund Fact sheet, as at September 2024.
Pathfinder Conservative Fund Asset Allocation
To find Pathfinder’s actual asset allocation percentages for their Conservative Fund as at September 2024, hover over each of the graphs elements.
Thinking about the Pathfinder Conservative Fund?
The Conservative fund is generally suitable for a short term or naturally cautious investor who is nearing retirement or intends on making a withdrawal in the short term. It also suits an investor who values lower volatility of returns over achieving potential higher returns. Do note that past performance is no guarantee of future performance, further there are several other factors to consider when deciding on a KiwiSaver fund that is right for you including:
Responsible Investing Considerations
Process and portfolio composition
Organisational Stability
Fees
Customer service
If you want to know if your KiwiSaver fund is both being maximised and suitable for your personal situation, follow the link below to our KiwiSaver advice page. The page contains a link to our KiwiSaver Discovery Quiz that takes approximately 5 minutes to complete, and once you have finished we will provide you with a complimentary no-obligation KiwiSaver recommendation.
Moderate fund category top performers
Generate Moderate Fund (Formerly known as Conservative Fund): 4.5% (five year average return)
Westpac Moderate Fund: 4.0% (five year average return)
MAS Moderate: 4.0% (five year average return)
What difference would this make to my KiwiSaver?
The industry average return for Moderate fund types over the most recent 5 years was 3.4%.
Best KiwiSaver Funds - Generate Moderate Vs Moderate Fund Average
What are the fees compared to industry average?
Industry Average for Moderate Funds fees = 0.79%
Generate Conservative Fund fees = 1.14%
Generate Moderate Fund Description
The Generate KiwiSaver Moderate Fund description was obtained directly from Generate’s most recent quarterly update.
The Moderate Fund aims to provide a modest to medium return over the short to medium term. It invests in an actively managed portfolio made up of slightly more income assets than growth assets. Volatility is likely to be medium to high. Returns will vary and may be low or negative at times.
Generate Moderate Fund Asset Allocation
To find Generate’s Moderate actual asset allocation percentages for their Moderate Fund as at 30 September 2024, hover over each of the elements of the graph.
Thinking about the Generate KiwiSaver Moderate Fund?
The Generate Moderate Fund is suitable for investors who have a minimum recommended investment timeframe of 3 years before planning on withdrawing. Do note that past performance is no guarantee of future performance, further there are several other factors to consider when deciding on a KiwiSaver fund that is right for you including:
Responsible Investing Considerations
Process and portfolio composition
Organisational Stability
Fees
Customer service
If you want to know if your KiwiSaver fund is both being maximised and suitable for your personal situation, follow the link below to our KiwiSaver advice page. The page contains a link to our Discovery Quiz that takes approximately 5 minutes to complete, and once you have finished we will provide you with a complimentary no-obligation KiwiSaver recommendation.
Balanced fund category top performers
Pathfinder Balanced: 7.8% (five year average return)
QuayStreet Balanced: 7.4% (five year average return)
Milford Balanced: 7.1% (five year average return)
What difference would this make to my KiwiSaver?
The industry average return for Balanced fund types over the most recent 5 years was 5.6%*.
Best KiwiSaver Funds - Pathfinder Balanced Vs Balanced Fund Average
What are the fees compared to industry average?
Industry Average for Balanced Funds fees = 0.73%
Pathfinder Balanced Fund fees = 1.17%
Pathfinder Balanced Fund Description
The Pathfinder Balanced Fund description was obtained directly from Pathfinder’s Fund Fact sheet.
The Fund is an ethical portfolio with a balanced exposure to growth assets and income assets. This Fund’s value is likely to fluctuate more than the Pathfinder KiwiSaver Conservative Fund and less than the Pathfinder KiwiSaver Growth Fund.
Pathfinder’s Balanced Fund Asset Allocation
To find Pathfinder’s actual asset allocation percentages for their Balanced Fund as at 30 September 2024, hover over each of the graphs elements.
Thinking about the Pathfinder Balanced Fund?
The Pathfinder Balanced Fund is suitable for investors who have a minimum recommended investment timeframe of 5 years before planning on withdrawing. Do note that past performance is no guarantee of future performance, further there are several other factors to consider when deciding on a KiwiSaver fund that is right for you including:
Responsible Investing Considerations
Process and portfolio composition
Organisational Stability
Fees
Customer service
If you want to know if your KiwiSaver fund is both being maximised and suitable for your personal situation, follow the link below to our KiwiSaver advice page. The page contains a link to our fact find that only takes 5 minutes to complete, and once you have finished we will provide you with a free no-obligation KiwiSaver recommendation.
Growth FUND CATEGORY TOP PERFORMERS
Pathfinder Growth: 10.1% (five year average return)
Milford Active Growth: 9.5% (five year average return)
QuayStreet Growth: 8.8% (five year average return)
What difference would this make to my KiwiSaver?
The industry average return for Growth fund types over the most recent 5 years was 7.1%*.
Best KiwiSaver Funds - Pathfinder Growth Vs Growth Fund Average
What are the fees compared to industry average?
Industry Average for Growth Funds fees = 0.94%
Pathfinder Growth Fund Fees = 1.30%
Pathfinder Growth Fund Description
The Pathfinder Growth Fund description was obtained directly from Pathfinder’s latest Fund Fact Sheet.
The Fund is an ethical portfolio with a higher exposure to growth assets and a lower exposure to income assets. This Fund’s value is likely to fluctuate more than the Pathfinder KiwiSaver Balanced Fund or Pathfinder KiwiSaver Conservative Fund.
Pathfinder Growth Fund Asset Allocation
To find Pathfinder’s actual asset allocation percentages for their Growth Fund as of 30 September 2024, hover over each of the elements of the graph.
Thinking about the Pathfinder Growth Fund?
The Pathfinder Growth Fund is suitable for investors with a minimum recommended investment timeframe of 7 years before planning on withdrawing. Do note that past performance is no guarantee of future performance, further there are several other factors to consider when deciding on a KiwiSaver fund that is right for you including:
Responsible Investing Considerations
Process and portfolio composition
Organisational Stability
Fees
Customer service
If you want to know if your KiwiSaver fund is both being maximised and suitable for your personal situation, follow the link below to our KiwiSaver advice page. The page contains a link to our KiwiSaver Discovery Quiz that takes approximately 5 minutes to complete, and once you have finished we will provide you with a complimentary no-obligation KiwiSaver recommendation.
aggressive FUND CATEGORY TOP PERFORMERS
Milford Aggressive Fund: 11.3% (five year average return)
Booster Socially Responsible High Growth Fund: 9.6% (five year average return)
Fisher TWO Scheme-Eq: 9.6% (five year average return)
What difference would this make to my KiwiSaver?
The industry average return for Aggressive fund types over the most recent 5 years was 8.3%*.
Best KiwiSaver Funds - Milford Aggressive Vs Aggressive Fund Average
What are the fees compared to industry average?
Industry Average for Aggressive Funds fees = 0.99%
Booster Socially Responsible High Growth Fund fees = 1.15%
Milford Aggressive Fund Description
The Milford Aggressive Fund description was obtained directly from the funds monthly fact sheet update here.
The Milford Aggressive Fund aims to maximise capital growth over the minimum recommended investment timeframe. It primarily invests in international equities, with a moderate allocation to Australasian equities
Milford Aggressive Fund Asset Allocation
To find this fund’s actual asset allocation percentages as of 31 October 2024, hover over each of the graphs elements.
Thinking about the Milford Aggressive Fund?
The Milford Aggressive Fund is suitable for investors who have a minimum suggested investment timeframe of at least 10 years before planning on withdrawing. Do note that past performance is no guarantee of future performance, further there are several other factors to consider when deciding on a KiwiSaver fund that is right for you including:
Responsible Investing Considerations
Process and portfolio composition
Organisational Stability
Fees
Customer service
*Please note that all graphs depicting projections use a $10,000 starting balance, with compounding interest at the rates stated. They exclude any further contributions (such as your employee, employer or Government contributions).
If you want to know if your KiwiSaver fund is both being maximised and suitable for your personal situation, follow the link below to our KiwiSaver advice page. The page contains a link to our fact find that only takes 5 minutes to complete, and once you have finished we will provide you with a complimentary no-obligation KiwiSaver recommendation.
Compound Wealth are based in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga and offer KiwiSaver, Investment & Retirement Financial Advice to clients all over New Zealand.